(MENAFN) Following a decade in power with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leading the majority, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi finds himself reliant on alliances within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to sustain governance post the 2024 elections. The pivotal ally in this coalition is the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from Andhra Pradesh, led by the influential three-time Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

At the heart of Naidu's condition to support Modi's government lies his ambitious vision for Amravati, a proposed new state capital designed to be both sustainable and surpassing even Singapore in modernity. During a recent visit to New Delhi on July 4, just before Modi embarked on his significant bilateral visit to Moscow, Naidu put forth a bold demand: over one trillion rupees ($12 billion) in grants from the central government, with half of that earmarked for the construction of Amravati.

Specifically, Naidu sought an immediate allocation of 150 billion rupees for Amravati in the current fiscal year alone. With the BJP holding only 240 seats in Parliament, far from the 272 needed for an outright majority, Modi faces a delicate balancing act to meet Naidu's demands to maintain stability within the coalition.

Observers note that Naidu's influence within the NDA, bolstered by his significant parliamentary bloc of 16 MPs, underscores the pragmatism of coalition politics in India. As expectations mount regarding Naidu's sway over policy decisions, particularly concerning Amravati's revival, the dynamics between Modi's BJP and its allies continue to shape the trajectory of governance in the world's largest democracy.

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